Sweet Adelines International 75th Jubilee Commemorative Album

THIRTY YEARS IN THE FUTURE Our motto of “Harmonize the World” will become more and more realistic as we accomplish what our founders dreamed of. - Ann Gooch, 30 Years of Harmony

It is an imposing task to write about a long-range look into the future of any organization. My task is complicated by the fact that Sweet Adelines can do some very surprising things! There is also an eerie feeling that comes with the knowledge that this article will be read many years from now. Membership Growth. The most obvious item is membership growth. The largest extent of membership growth will probably be in the United States and Canada. The most obvious place for Sweet Adelines, Inc. to establish itself with another citizenry is in Australia. I see it unlikely that Sweet Adelines, Inc. will sustain significant growth outside of English-speaking countries; however, there will be isolated chapters scattered about the world in our Worldwide Area. Choruses. The number of large choruses will grow. The most common-sized chapter today numbers about 30; in the future, these chapters will have between 40 and 50 members. Many choruses will have 70 to 100 members and we will see choruses of 150 or more at future International Conventions. Conventions. International Conventions will continue to grow as our membership finds the fun and excitement of this event. The international chorus contest is here to stay and will continue to be an exciting spectacle. There may come a time when there will be chorus preliminaries and inter-regional contests, or possibly categories based on size. Headquarters and Staff. The International Headquarters facilities and staff of the corporation will surely increase. There will be much more direct contact from International Headquarters to the member. The first such example of this direct communication will be a monthly newspaper-type tabloid with current news of the organization and mailed to your door. Your International Headquarters will be your total information center. I do not see (branch offices) established; Tulsa will continue to be the direct heartline from the United States. As technology advances, there will be increased communications hardware at our International Headquarters. Membership data will be carried by computer, there will be an ever-increasing library of films, videotapes and other recordings that will be available to the membership, and eventually we will produce instructional videotape cassettes for use on home players. Youth. There will be increased emphasis on youth-related programs. The knowledge that the membership’s health and growth depends on a flow of new blood into the organization will result in significant planning to interest young women in singing barbershop harmony. The Sweet Adeline Member. The Sweet Adeline of 2007 will be very much like you and me. She will continue to be the active, multifaceted woman. She will wear costumes and makeup and sing with the same enthusiasm we enjoy. The Sweet Adeline of 2007 will be better informed about her organization, more widely traveled, and more thoroughly educated in the craft of the hobby. But in the end, she will be all that we are, all that we could be and all that we strive for. Sweet Adelines will ever enjoy the beauty of friendship and the thrill of ringing barbershop chords. In 30 Years of Harmony , published in 1977 to mark the anniversary of the first Sweet Adelines Convention, Ann Gooch (1975-1977 International President) wrote the following predictions:

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